US 2012/0060004 A1 · SYSTEM FOR VIRTUAL DISKS VERSION CONTROL

Abstract

A system (10) for virtual disks version control includes a selectively read-only volume (12); at least one topmost overlay (141, 142, 143, 144, 145); and at least two intermediate, selectively read-only overlays (16, 16′, 16″, 16′″) configured as at least two mounting points. The at least one topmost overlay (141, 142, 143, 144, 145) is configured to store the results of redirected write operations. One of the at least two mounting points (16, 16′, 16″, 16″) and the volume (12) form an image, and the other of the at least two mounting points (16, 16′, 16″, 16′″) and the volume (12) form another image. The at least two intermediate overlays (16, 16′, 16″, 16′″) are operatively located between the volume (12) and the at least one topmost overlay (141, 142, 143, 144, 145). Each of the at least two mounting points (16, 16′, 16″, 16′″) is configured to enable a plurality of client computers (18) to concurrently read the image or the other image and to concurrently write to a respective one of the at least one topmost overlays (141, 142, 143, 144, 145).

Claims15

Dependent claims

A system for virtual disks version control, comprising;

a selectively read-only volume;
at least two intermediate, selectively read-only overlays configured as at least two mounting points, one of the at least two mounting points and the volume forming an image, and the other of the at least two mounting points and the volume forming an other image;
and
at least one topmost overlay configured to store the results of redirected write operations, the at least two intermediate overlays being operatively located between the volume and the at least one topmost overlay, each of the at least two mounting points configured to enable a plurality of client computers to concurrently read the image or the other image and to concurrently write to a respective one of the at least one topmost overlays.

1 more element

A computer-readable medium encoded with a data structure configured to customize virtual disks for at least two client computers via a system including;

a selectively read-only volume;
at least two intermediate, selectively read-only overlays configured as at least two mounting points, one of the at least two mounting points and the volume forming an image, and the other of the at least two mounting points and the volume forming an other image;
and
at least one topmost overlay configured to store the results of redirected write operations, the at least two intermediate overlays being operatively located between the volume and the at least one topmost overlay, each of the at least two mounting points configured to enable a plurality of client computers to concurrently read the image or the other image;
wherein a respective one of the at least one topmost overlay is formed on the image, forming a writeable client image, and a respective other one of the at least one topmost overlay is formed on the other image, forming an other writeable client image, and wherein the data structure is configured to perform the following steps:
configuring at least one of the intermediate overlays while maintaining an original state of the volume;
and
making available the client image and the other client image for concurrent reading and writing by the at least two client computers.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System for virtual disks version control

Life of this patent

System for virtual disks version control

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15